Western Living January/February 2022

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Classic Meets Modern in the New Traditional

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PLUS All Our Love for Nelson’s Whitewater Ski Resort: Top Peaks and Excellent Eats

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HOMES + DESIGN

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FEATURES

To the window, to the wall—actually, why not both? Rebecca St. John creates an elegant glass partition.

The Glow Up

Trade Secrets

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Reena Sotropa’s modern makeover doesn’t shy away from the bold.

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Shopping

A storage-happy sofa, whimsical lighting, hand-woven blankets and more.

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One to Watch

Meet the Anishinaabe designer bringing Indigenous patterns into modern spaces.

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Blue Crush

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Blues, yellows and animal motifs make this Vancouver home by Plaidfox Studio stand out.

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Fun House

Paul Lavoie brings vivid colour (and awesome energy) to a Calgary home.

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Great Spaces

FOOD + TRAVEL

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Inside a stunning, malachite-studded secret bar hidden in a lowkey dumpling restaurant in Vancouver’s Chinatown.

Colours of the Year 2022

Natural hues—namely green—reign supreme in the coming year.

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The Greatest Ski Resort You’ve Never Been To Whitewater in Nelson is a hidden haven (do not tell your friends).

PLUS

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Mood Board

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In the first edition of our new 2022 column, designer Aly Velji shares what materials, shapes and colours sparked inspiration for his upcoming home reno.

Mastering the Après

Garlicky short ribs, roasted butternut squash and ricotta cake to keep you sated on the summit.

B.C. & ALBERTA L VOLUME 51 L NUMBER 1

CONTENTS 6

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COVER: Eymeric Widling; this page: PlaidFox kitchen: Ema Peter; Whitewater: Steve Ogle

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Dispatches

Multisensory mountain fun in Banff and essentials for the ski season.

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EDITOR'S NOTE

This month we asked our contributors, What colour dare will you give yourself for 2022?

COLOUR YOUR WORLD

Thomas Fricke, “Breaking the Pattern” page 16 Follow Anicka on Instagram @aniqua

It seems fitting to me that we’re putting the finishing touches on our Colour Issue in the midst of yet another atmospheric river here in Vancouver. The view outside my home office window may be a little bit grey and bleak, but the homes we’re featuring in this issue are anything but. And on a day like today, the boost I’m getting from taking my final look through the magazine’s pages is proof positive of the uplifting effect of colour.

“A colourful space is the most amazing gift you can give yourself,” says designer Paul Lavoie (“Fun House,” page 37). “There are very few things in life that give you energy, and in a room that has the gift of colour, there’s always energy.” The home he designed features no less than a formerly traditional but now electric-blue office desk in one room, and gorgeous purple drapes in another. And he’s right: it’s absolutely energizing.

I think many of us experience some hesitancy in making a decision on colour in our own home spaces: Do I have to go all-in? Will the effect be distracting?

But as Lavoie notes, smart use of bold colour means being able to have some quiet moments, too. “Doing colour properly also means having a space where you can get away from it,” he says.

If the view out your window is as muted and wintery as mine, I hope these pages give you some lift—and maybe even some inspiration to push past your doubts and amp up the colour. As Ben Leavitt of Plaidfox Studio notes in this issue (“Blue Crush,” page 33): “I always say, once you live with colour, you realize you can’t live without it. It just gives you so much happiness to live in a space that’s colourful.”

As my own cozy, colourful walls can attest, I couldn’t agree more. In fact, I’m already dreaming of all the bright colours I could update my bathroom with in 2022—atmospheric river be damned.

Two things come to mind about this. Neuroscience and socks. The cool thing about colour is that, physically, it doesn’t exist. It’s just the brain’s interpretation of wavelengths. My brain is getting pretty bored of only wearing grey toned socks. Boom. Colour dare realized.

Shelley Adams, “Mastering the Après” page 56 Funnily enough, I have gone wild for colour during this bleak and unpredictable year! I’ve been wearing bright tropical looking scarves and fun toques that don’t really match, and combining stripes with florals and paisleys, mixing it up for fun. I was wearing so much black and grey for the past few winters that this change in my wardrobe has been really fun.

RENOVATION DIARIES

And speaking of colour, our Editor at Large Stacey McLachlan has spent the last year going big and bold on a renovation in her Vancouver condo.

If you haven’t yet read her Renovation Diaries on the highs and (very deep) lows of it all, head to westernliving.ca.

And stay tuned for the big reveal in our May/June Issue!

VISIT

anicka quin, editorial director anicka.quin@westernliving.ca

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The Look: Elegant Enclosure It turns out you can have it all— if you’re this Calgary kitchen designed by Rebecca St. John, at least. In the course of renovating a dark and dreary home for a Calgary family of four, the designer knocked down walls but then erected glass-and-metal dividers from Modern Metal in their place to give the kitchen the best of both worlds: a little privacy, and a lot of light. “Plus, it’s a great graphic detail,” says St. John.

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HOMES + DESIGN SHOPPING Editor’s Pick

Wood You Rather

This statement-making coffee table is the latest collaboration between solid wood furniture makers Lock and Mortice and home decor store Provide, both based in Vancouver.

Made of white oak (with a blackened finish), the Provide Series round coffee table ($8,750) is an asymmetrical beauty. providehome.com

Play Ball

We’re loving all the whimsy in the Echo table light ($725) from Tala. The two intersecting solid steel cylinders are each topped with a dimmable blown glass bulb for ultimate ambiance control. lightformshop.com

NOTEWORTHY

New in stores across the West.

Twill throw

from BiIly Rose Woolen Goods, $270. billyrosewoolengoods.com Sometimes it feels like learning how to knit, making some kind of pathetic rhombus-shaped washcloth and then giving up entirely is a universal experience. But, obviously, there are talented fibre artists doing the good work for all of us less-yarn-inclined folks. One of those artists is Billy Rose Weisbrich, who learned to knit at age nine and now hand weaves wool blankets out of Salt Spring Island. Weisbrich’s work is all about the natural: in fact, most of the yarns they use aren’t dyed. But that doesn’t mean that the designs are plain—chevron patterns, stripes and ombré geometry are expertly woven into these gorgeous, cozy goods. —Alyssa Hirose, Assistant Editor

For more editors’ picks visit westernliving.ca

BY A LY S S A H I R O S E

Clown Around

Table Manners

Edmonton-based Poppy Barley recently expanded from fashion to homewares, and their new line includes functional zippered pouches, catch-all trays and these chic curvilinear table setters ($88 for a pack of 2). The placemats, and all other products, are made from leather certified by international nonprofit Leather Working Group, an organization that audits tanneries for environmental performance. poppybarley.com

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Vancouver startup furniture brand Edits made the journey all the way to Belgium’s “Please, Have a Seat” trade show last fall to exhibit the Circus chair ($899 U.S.), a Scandi-cool piece made of European ash. The designers keep a stock of neutral colours, plus classic rainbow hues: green, yellow, red and blue. editsdesign.com

What’s in Store

Molteni’s Marteen sofa (price on request) is a sectional spectacular. It is seating and storage all in one, and there are literally hundreds of upholstery options to choose from—canvas, linen, velvet, you name it.

You’ll never lose the remote again. livingspace.com

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HOMES + DESIGN ONE TO WATCH

Good Buys

Much of Seymour’s work has a charitable component, too—her collab with home decor company Freed, available at Urban Barn, donates five percent of profits to the Butterfly Club, an organization that supports Indigenous girls and Two Spirit youth.

Breaking the Pattern Anishinaabe interior designer Destiny Seymour spent her

first decade in the industry working on commercial projects built for education and community (think university housing, libraries and daycare centres). But as she curated textiles and furniture for each space, Seymour struggled to find the right materials. “There weren’t any fabrics that represented the history of Manitoba, and Indigenous people, in a respectful way,” remembers the Winnipeg-based designer. The Manitoba Museum is full of pottery, stoneware and bone tools crafted by Indigenous makers—but that’s all behind glass. So Seymour took her first screen-printing class.

In 2016, the designer launched her first Indigo Arrows collection: a series of tea towels and pillows printed with patterns

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inspired by Indigenous artifacts. Each piece has an Anishinaabemowin name (the Bezhig pillow, for example, means “number one,” and the motif comes from a 400-year-old elk antler scraper). Now she’s expanded to drum stools, quilts and greeting cards; a collaboration with another Manitoban company, Freed, was picked up by Urban Barn last fall.

Despite her studio’s growth, all of her products are still crafted in Winnipeg. “To see Indigenous designs at such a large scale, and to be able to purchase them in a retail store, is really important,” says Seymour. “When I was in school, I didn’t see any Indigenous designers in magazines. The goal is for us to be celebrated and to see ourselves represented, not just in a museum.” Mission accomplished.—Alyssa Hirose

Portrait and top right: Thomas Fricke

DESTINY SEYMOUR Interior designer and textile artist, Indigo Arrows

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HOMES + DESIGN GREAT SPACES

SPEAKEASY BEING GREEN

Bergman Interiors designs a stunning secret bar behind a humble dumpling restaurant in Vancouver.

London-based interior designer Marie Soliman always thought of the speakeasy as having a classically European vibe: black and white, with champagne details and maybe a touch of pearl. But when she and her team at Bergman Interiors were brought on to design a hidden bar in Vancouver’s historic Chinatown, she rightly looked to the east for inspiration.

“In Shanghai, they celebrate the green and the gold and the black,” says Soliman.

“And the green jade, or malachite, is so striking—it’s a work of art on its own.”

That rich hue served as a starting point for the bar, which is nestled behind Blnd Tger Dumplings. The street-facing part of the operation has an unfinished look— “like it’s been there forever, and the owner didn’t have enough money to renovate it,” jokes the designer—and guests need to enter the back through a freezer door.

From there, the space sheds its modest facade and transforms into the elegant, moody speakeasy.

Soliman wanted the hidden bar to evoke a sense of freedom (not just the traditional Prohibition-era refuge, but also a break from modern-day stresses).

That was difficult in a room she describes as “like a train.”

“It’s very challenging to create an experience in such a narrow space,” she says. To keep the journey interesting, she divided the area into three zones. The bar, dressed in glazed green subway tiles and backlit antique mirrors, is a bold first

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Don’t Look Now

In the bar’s bathroom, Soliman chose an ornate wallcovering sporting cranes and mythical birds in flight. And, notably, no mirror—another facet of the freedom experience. “You don’t need a mirror. If you’re happy, you’re pretty,” says the designer.

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impression that reflects the rest of the space—including an intricate feature wall crafted out of real malachite. Beyond that, cozy booths in that same glam green mark the fine-dining section, and phoenixshaped pendant lights from Karice add an extra punch of personality. And, at the very back, there’s another secret bar—seriously.

The VIP bar-within-a-bar has empty bird cages hanging from the ceiling. “It’s part of the story,” says Soliman. “You come here to party and celebrate, to forget all the elements that are caging you in.”

The deep greens, pops of gold and bird motifs add up to a space that’s both contemporary and classic—and hard to keep secret. “It’s rich, it’s dramatic, it’s moving and it’s sexy—and yet it is absolutely timeless,” says the designer.—Alyssa Hirose Ema Peter

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HOMES + DESIGN COLOURS OF THE YEAR 2022

BY S TAC E Y M c L AC H L A N

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Whatever the process, most paint brands seem to

have landed in a similar region for their latest Paint Colour of the Year predictions: it looks like soft, soothing greens will be everywhere in 2022. It makes sense that palettes inspired by nature are ruling the charts now—in a world gone mad, a bathroom wall or kitchen cabinet that subconsciously brings you back to earth is mighty appealing indeed.

1 Sherwin-Williams: Evergreen Fog They say: “Evergreen Fog is a versatile and calming hue, a chameleon colour of gorgeous green-meets-grey, with just a bit of blue.”

We say: The beauty of an organic colour like this is that it can be all things to all people. You and your partner can’t agree on blue or green for the bedroom walls?

This sophisticated shade should satisfy all parties. sherwin-williams.com

2 Sico: Cool Current

THE GREENING OF LIFE

They say: “Cool Current is a relaxed yet enticing green that represents regrowth, mimicking nature’s resiliency and blending in with nearly any environment, inside or outside.”

We say: Can’t keep that aloe plant alive? This chic, sage-y pastel green will make up for any not-so-green thumb. Pair with white and black accents to keep it from veering too ’90s. sico.ca

The best of the 2022 paint colours of the year.

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3 Dulux: Olive Sprig They say: “We’re seeing a trend towards relaxed, rich, organic hues that will be incorporated into home decor in the coming year.”

We say: This olive-hued paint has a silvery tinge to it—you might even be able to get away with using it as a neutral.

For a Craftsman-style dining room, it’d be a dream in green. dulux.ca

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HOMES + DESIGN COLOURS OF THE YEAR 2022

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4 Behr: Breezeway They say: “The silvery green shade with cool undertones is inspired by the earth’s beauty and mimics naturally stunning sea glass found on the shore of salty beaches.”

We say: We love a minty moment, and Breezeway delivers. In a modern space or a more transitional one, this fresh colour would make a serious pop—especially balanced with warm woods. behr.com

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5 Graham and Brown: Breathe They say: “Breathe is perfect for creating calm and peaceful spaces, which is exactly what is needed for the year ahead.”

We say: Ooooh, this blue! Soft, serene and grey-toned, it’s like being hugged by a cloudy Vancouver day. It’s tough to hit that sweet spot between moody and refreshing, but they’ve nailed it. Go into the deep blue with navy accents, or cool things off with crisp whites. grahambrown.com

6 Benjamin Moore: October Mist They say: “This gently shaded sage quietly anchors a space, while encouraging individual expression through colour. The Colour Trends 2022 palette of 14 hues, which includes October Mist, is harmonious yet diverse, reliable yet whimsical, and meditative yet eclectic.”

We say: With its silvery pale-green tone, October Mist is soothing and quiet enough to act as a neutral canvas for other shades, but it’s particularly lovely with lilac. benjaminmoore.com

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7 Farrow and Ball: Some Maddening Indecision They say: “Rooted thematically in a feeling of folk and craftsmanship, these colours are a versatile mix of function, form and comfort. Each colour is further anchored in a sense of comfortability and simplicity.”

We say: In other words: these guys picked five colours to be their colour of the year. Come on!

To their credit, Farrow and Ball released their colour predictions back in August, probably before they knew how incensed we would be with their indecision. And while we admit that Schoolhouse White and Baboosh (a sunshine-y yellow) certainly have their appeal, let’s focus on F&B’s green pick here: Breakfast Room Green.

It’s a lush, livable colour that’ll be the perfect backdrop for drinking a morning coffee and penning letters to paint companies, begging them to take a stand. farrow-ball.com

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With this playful modern makeover, the designers at Reena Sotropa In House Design Group offer a masterclass in both boldness and balance.

by Stacey M c Lachlan // photographs by phil crozier

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THE GLOW UP

W

In the Pink

A pair of custom coral ottomans from Vogel plays off the palette and tucks neatly underneath a console from Wayfair. The light fixture here is from Arteriors. Thibaut wallpaper offers a cheery first impression as guests step into the entryway. “It’s a cool introduction to the house,” says designer Reena Sotropa.

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HOMES + DESIGN THE GLOW UP

M

ost designers worth their salt

spend as much time listening as they do pursuing fabric swatches: the key to a great design lies in what their client is asking for, either explicitly or implicitly.

And when it comes to renovations, Alanna Dunn and Reena Sotropa of Calgary’s Reena Sotropa In House Design Group know that this intense listening process needs to extend to the architecture, too. For their recent remodel of a late-1970s two-storey Bearspaw home—a chaotic black-and-white-and-red-all-over

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eyesore—the message was coming through loud and clear. “There are certain things this house was telling us,” says Sotropa. For one: the programming of the space was off-kilter, with a 16-foot red sectional crammed into the home’s original dining room. Two: the alligator-skin fireplace and zebra-print ottoman were going to have to go.

“The previous owners really committed to the theme,” says Dunn diplomatically of the animal-print overload they faced. To each their own, of course, but for the family of four moving in, it just wasn’t a look that worked. The layout and finishes would need a refresh... though that’s not to say they asked the RSIHD team to

Get That Green

The homeowner found a mint-condition Thomasville hutch on Kijiji (left), and the design team had it lacquered green to match the chairs in the dining room. “I’d been looking at these on 1stDibs for thousands of dollars for years. When she snagged this for a couple hundred, I almost fainted!” laughs Sotropa. The Restoration Hardware table expands further to accommodate the homeowners’ extended family. Pictured here with 12 green chairs from Wayfair, it’s actually at its smallest setting.

keep things simple. Quite the opposite, in fact. “The homeowner has playful taste,” says Sotropa.

And so, while the ’gator panelling was ushered out of sight, the new look also happens to skew bold: now, it’s a home filled with lively patterned wallpaper in most rooms, and a through-line of punchy coral and greens. But Dunn and Sotropa balance out the wild moments with calm ones, grounding spaces with crisp white walls and clean lines.

Beyond aesthetics, Dunn and Sotropa also went deep into making sure the flow of the main floor suited the homeowners’ lifestyle. A former dining area became a piano room; the TV den

transformed into a new dining room that flows right into the living room and entry. For a family that does a lot of entertaining (the homeowners are both in the restaurant industry), a large, welcoming dining table—this one from Restoration Hardware— was a must.

Some fancy footwork turned the awkward, L-shaped living room into two more distinct spaces, which helped the whole home flow. The “short” end of the L got one of the home’s more dramatic makeovers: enclosed by walls of tiny windows, all framed in dark casing, it was “kind of chaotic looking,” says Dunn.

“The windows look into a three-season room so it was just a lot

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HOMES + DESIGN THE GLOW UP

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Child’s Play

In the kids’ playroom, a closet built in to the eaves was converted into an incredibly detailed playhouse, complete with window boxes. Kravet wallpaper only adds to the whimsy here. Each girl picked a theme for her room: mermaids and “dress-up,” respectively. In one, a damask-style under-the-sea print sets the tone; the other leans into florals. Both rooms have custom millwork beds, with a platform for a queen mattress, built-in nightstands and a mounted reading light.

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HOMES + DESIGN THE GLOW UP

The Oasis

Though the primary bedroom isn’t neutral per se, “the intention was for it to be quieter than the rest of the house,” says Dunn. Indeed, between the textured Forehand rug underfoot and the (relatively) subdued Arte wallpaper, the design team created a calm and cozy retreat.

See the before photos at westernliving.ca

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of visual clutter.” The team painted the frames white and covered them in sheer, linen-like drapes to quiet everything down. The homeowner’s existing Restoration Hardware sofa fit here perfectly, alongside a Vogel armchair; an art easel became a stand for the television, a clever solution for a room without any obvious spot to mount a screen.

Over in the “long” part of the L, two grey sofas from CF Interiors sit comfortably around coffee tables designed by Dunn and Sotropa and manufactured by Calgary maker Sumer Singh. The nesting pieces—one topped with Caesarstone, the other from restaurantquality butcher block—act as oversized charcuterie boards. The original alligator-skin fireplace was redone with a more subdued white limestone plaster.

In the primary bedroom, a textural Arte wallpaper behind a CB2 bedframe punches things up. “It just kind of sparkles with the light and creates a pattern,” says Sotropa. The fireplace here gets a limestone plaster treatment, too. The design team built out a window seat; narrow windows on either side of the bench let in additional light. The black ottoman is from CB2; Forehand nightstands are topped by Visual Comfort wall sconces.

What once was a home theatre is now a dreamy walk-in closet, complete with Manuel Canovas wallpaper. (The pattern? Colourful handbags and clutches, of course.) That gorgeous green returns here, via custom millwork with World Away handles.

This dressing room is so large it even includes what Dunn calls “a landing pad”: a mini workspace where the homeowner can sit with a laptop and quickly answer emails in the morning. (Some of the drawers are reserved for office materials.)

The narrow hallway gets a little bit of colour and personality, too, with a display of heirloom kimonos from the homeowners’ family. Elsewhere, beautiful vintage Japanese fans are mounted on a tight wire.

“It’s kind of a common occurrence in design,” notes Dunn. “People don’t consider something they’ve got just lying around as display worthy, but then you look at it with fresh eyes.”

It’s something one might say about this house itself: a hidden gem that just needed a new perspective (and some attentive listening) to truly shine. Barely a wall came down, and yet this home has been totally transformed—a testament to the power of colours and finishes. Says Sotropa: “You can take a home that is so, so not your style and transform it into something that tells a story about who you and your family are.”

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BLUE CRUSH Plaidfox Studio is fearless when it comes to colour.

“It just gives you so much happiness.” by anicka quin // photographs by ema peter

In the Mood

“It doesn’t have to have tons of different colours to be a colourful space,” says designer Ben Leavitt of Plaidfox Studio. “And it can still be really calming. That’s why we use large washes of one colour, to keep the space feeling peaceful and calm but super energetic at the same time.” The perimeter kitchen cabinets in this Vancouver condo are painted in the bright and cheery Aspen Skies from Benjamin Moore, and paired with soft white oak on the island.

westernliving.ca / j a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y

2022

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HOMES + DESIGN BLUE CRUSH

W

hen designer Ben Leavitt

of Plaidfox Studio met with the homeowners of this 2,400-square foot condo in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour, he heard those magic words that are, no doubt, a dream for any designer: “You have carte blanche.”

To be fair, that wasn’t the only direction the homeowners gave him. They wanted the update to their 1981-era space (which is actually two apartments combined into one) to be energetic, playful, anything but generic and neutral—the perfect fit for a young family.

“The homeowners let us push them with colour,” says Leavitt.

“As a young artistic family with a European background, they wanted to embrace a more vibrant palette.”

The team at Plaidfox opened the space up, removing as many internal walls as they could, and turned the once-dreary galley kitchen into an airy space open to the dining area and living space. And, of course, colour throughout makes a huge impact, from the baby-blue cabinets in the kitchen to the bold, mustard-yellow millwork in the living room. “I always say, once you live with colour, you realize you can’t live without it,” says Leavitt. “It just gives you so much happiness to live in a space that’s colourful.”

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Walking on Sunshine

With two small kids, it was important for the homeowners to have lots of storage for toys and more. “It doesn’t matter if you live in a small apartment or a big apartment, there’s never enough room to put everything,” says Leavitt. This huge bank of mustard-yellow cabinets (Fields of Gold by Benjamin Moore) is almost 16 feet with floor-to-ceiling storage— toys on the bottom, home wares on the top.

Leavitt says he was both surprised and thrilled that the homeowners went for the bold shade.

“The idea of something is always more scary than the thing itself. When you see it in person, it’s really quite pretty and interesting and makes the apartment unique.”

j a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y 2 0 2 2 / westernliving.ca

Animal Magnetism

“Sometimes we get lost in the digital world. So I’ll put together a random selection of fabrics that I really like, that I may not even use in creating the home, but from those fabrics I’ll be able to pull tones that I think will work well for the house.”

In the eating nook, the black sconce above the custom banquette is from Circa Lighting. A Fenis chair from Zanotta adds a playful accent piece to the mix. “It looks a little like it has bunny rabbit ears,” laughs Leavitt. The Bocci pendant over the Ethnicraft dining table brings in another hit of blue.

The dining chairs are from Bensen.

Coffee Corner

The wet bar cleverly disguises pipes and an air-conditioner unit overhead. “Hidden in there is a coffee maker, and everything they could use to make coffee,” he said.

“We could have just drywalled it over, but we were able to use it to make a little bistro area.”

westernliving.ca / j a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y

2022

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28 locations across Western Canada

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Artful Moment

To break up the monolithic look of the marble surround on the fireplace in the salon, the designers suspended a Jonathan Forrest painting on wires.

FUN HOUSE Paul Lavoie Interior Design infuses a Calgary home with energizing, effervescent colour at every turn.

by Anicka Quin // photographs by eymeric widling

westernliving.ca / j a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y

2022

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HOMES + DESIGN FUN HOUSE

Drama Class

In the salon, the team went for black as their base colour in the space. It acts as “the black dress that allows the art to breathe and the colour to really shine,” says Lavoie. The artwork is a piece from Peter Hoffer. The front doors (opposite page) originally were in a knotty, wood-grain finish, but the team at PLID boosted the drama with black lacquer.

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“Doing colour properly also means having a space where you can get away from it, and have some variety, or it becomes too saturated.”

W

alking through the bold geometric doors that lead

into this Mount Royal home in Calgary, you might expect that you’re heading into the serious side of luxe design: marble floors, a bold pedestal table, a crystal chandelier overhead. But to the right and left of you are a pair of matching fur-covered benches. And, just off this grand entry, the office hosts one of the most striking pieces in the home: a prominent California traditional desk, lacquered in nothing less than a bold, electric blue.

This is a house that’s meant to have fun.

westernliving.ca / j a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y

2022

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HOMES + DESIGN FUN HOUSE

After working with the team at I Know a Guy Renovations to complete the home (the new home had been left 85 percent finished, and stood vacant for a year before they purchased it), the homeowners brought in designers Paul Lavoie and Kristy Kerr of Paul Lavoie Interior Design to “really turn up the volume,” says Lavoie. “Their former house was much more sedate, and they wanted this house to be something that was from a level of being quietly elegant to something that is high fashion.”

And so, yes, you’ll see bold statements like that blue desk, or the purple drapes and the cobalt blue sectional in the living room, or the teal velvet Platner chairs in the salon. But the space is as much about the quieter moments: the more neutral wall coverings that showcase the homeowners’ impressive art collection, for example.

Finding that balance is key to working with bold colour, notes Lavoie. “Doing colour properly also means having a space where you can get away from it, and have some variety, or it becomes too saturated,” he says. “But there’s nothing better than a room that’s been executed with colour that’s thoughtful, and the colour itself provides the texture in the room. It’s bold, but not overwhelming.”

In the salon area, also just off of the main entrance, most of the furniture is in black fabrics of various textures. “We used black like we’re seeing so many use white,” says Lavoie. “It’s a neutral base, the black dress that allows the art to breathe and the colour to really

Colour 101

In the living room (above) , the cobalt-blue sofa was custom made in Calgary. In the dining room (opposite), the team included a wallpaper insert in the ceiling in a graphic pattern that might be too much on a vertical wall, but perfect as a detail. The purple crystal chandelier from Cyan is a favourite of Lavoie’s (right).”It’s like a party every day in that kitchen,” he says.

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westernliving.ca / j a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y

2022

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HOMES + DESIGN FUN HOUSE

Make It Sparkle

The wall covering in the master bathroom (right) is a metallic silver embossed wallpaper.

“It’s so much quieter when it’s installed on the wall,” says Lavoie.

“It goes from looking like a bumper on a truck to a subtle sparkle.”

Bold and Blue

In the study (above), the blue lacquer desk is the showstopper, but it’s got some competition with that marigold and blue chair—a vintage William Switzer piece that Lavoie had in his personal collection. The frame is in a distressed gold leaf, and the team updated the fabrics on the seat and back. “We finally found an owner that really appreciated what it was,” says the designer.

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shine.” The tête-à-tête and occasional chairs in the room are both art deco inspired in their design, but those teal Platner chairs are decidedly mid-century: a mash-up of eras that results in a surprising and playful look for the space.

In the main living room, the bold and beautiful cobalt blue velvet sectional was made in Calgary. “Most of our furniture now is made locally,” says Lavoie. “With tariffs and timelines due to COVID, we’re getting much better production out of local manufacturers. I can’t emphasize enough that we want to buy Canadian right now—we’ve had such a shift in our business.”

The teal throw cushions on the sofa—along with the multi-tonal tweedy fabric on the club chairs—provide a visual colour link to the same shade on the chairs and area rug in the nearby salon. “We really wanted to connect the two rooms,” says Lavoie. “The living

room and salon are joined by a doorway, and we didn’t want one to be the sombre brother.”

While the dining room doesn’t have the same punches of colour, it has its own wow factor in both a dramatic gold chandelier and the silver and black wallpaper detail on the ceiling. “It’s a graphic pattern that would be very intense on its own vertically, but horizontally is much easier to live with,” says Lavoie. The kitchen, too, could have been a quieter zone of white on white on white—until you spot the purple crystal chandelier over the kitchen table.

Finding these moments of delight among the quieter ones is just what the designers set out to do for this young family. “For me, a colourful space is the most amazing gift you can give yourself,” says Lavoie. “There are very few things in life that give you energy, and in a room that has the gift of colour, there’s always energy.”

westernliving.ca / j a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y

2022

43

Tuna Stack

Ease into the new year with fresh, flavourful choices.

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BANFF • WHISTLER • REVELSTOKE • NELSON

D I S PATCH E S

Origin Story

Chris Amat

Even those of us who live for skiing admit that it’s long been one of the whitest pastimes around, but Pursuit’s new Nightrise experience looks to inject a bit of Rocky Mountain history into your post-skiing evening. The multisensory event—lightshows, soundscapes, video projections—takes place on the Banff Gondola and was created with the participation of the Stoney Nakoda Nation. The experience tells the story of the Nation’s history and deep connection to the town and region. Runs until March 22, banff jaspercollection.com

westernliving.ca / j a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y

2022

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FOOD + TRAVEL DISPATCHES

GEARING UP! The essentials for the season.

The Evolution of Layering Kids, once upon a time staying warm entailed putting on an enormous puffy jacket that rounded you out in ways that flattered no human and was dripping wet with a combo of sweat and melted snow by days’ end. And no company has done more to slim down the profile by amping up the technology than Vancouver’s own Arc’teryx.

The new 2 Kole down pullover enables your daily protection to be whittled down to a light base layer and a waterproof outer layer, allowing for maximum movement with minimum weight—or just looking dope around the fire. $330, arcteryx.com

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A Phone Case with No Shame

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What might be Whistler’s coolest program is hidden in plain sight on their website. Browse under the various ski-school offerings and you’ll see an option called the 1 Ski School Most Exclusive Program—read further and it turns out you can “Book an Olympian,” like Ashleigh McIvor, Britt Janyk, Darren Chalmers or several other skiers of boards who’ve worn the maple leaf at the Olympics. If you’re convinced the only thing holding you back from the podium is the proper coaching then you’re set... just try not to sweat when Rob Boyd wants to go mano a mano on Peak-toCreek. Full days from $1,099, whistlerblackcomb.com

Revelstoke House

4

Whose Traditional Land Am I Skiing On? Our friends at Ski magazine came up with one of the coolest and easiest ways to reframe your love of the outdoors: use the made-in-Canada 5 Native Land territories map to pinpoint on whose traditional land your favourite resort has the privilege of residing: for Sunshine, it’s the Blackfoot Niitsitapi; for Whistler, the Squamish Lil’wat. It’s a little layer of perspective to accompany your turns. native-land.ca

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How often do you see someone pulling a phone out of their $700 jacket that’s tucked in a Ziploc bag? A few years ago we spoke of Helly Hansen’s smartphonesaving pockets in their high-end jackets and now they’re offering them as a standalone—the 3 External Life Pocket, the insulation keeps battery life strong and moisture out. $34, hellyhansen.com

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5

The one small knock on Revelstoke? The world-class skiing was serviced only by accommodation that was quaint and cozy. Now, though, it’s joined by luxe and over-the-top. The new 4 Flying Moose Chalet offers— deep breath—eight bedrooms, a gym/massage room, hot tub, sauna, steam room, an indoor climbing wall and, lastly, a helipad should you wish to escape the resort and hit some deep stuff a few ranges over. This is very much our style of overcompensation.

Nightly rates from $8,950 (with full private chef and concierge, naturally), flyingmoosebc.com

Tourism Whistler: Mike Crane

Race You Down, Ashleigh McIvor!

j a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y 2 0 2 2 / westernliving.ca

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THE GREATEST SKI RESORT YOU’VE NEVER BEEN TO Nelson’s Whitewater is a hidden gem—and the locals are just fine with that.

by Andrew Findlay // photographs by Steve Ogle

westernliving.ca / j a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y

10:45 AM

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FOOD + TRAVEL WHITEWATER SKIING

Peak-a-boo

Is this an average run at Whitewater? No. Is it a pipe dream? No, again.

One of the resort’s strengths is that with a bit of hiking you can get as far away as you like.

someone handed me a pencil and a blank sheet of paper, and then told me to sketch my dream ski resort, it would look a lot like Whitewater. But “resort” is perhaps too rich a word— let’s try “winter dream” instead. Close your eyes for a moment and imagine a steep mountain road flanked by overhead-high snowbanks. The road terminates near the head of a forested valley in the southern Selkirk Mountains. City drivers need not apply. So far, so good.

Fat flakes fall. You step into the parking lot. Fresh powder dusts your boot tops. Even better. Stoke is high. You head into the twostorey day lodge. Its weathered walls, if they could speak, would share generations of après powder skiing tales and antics. The

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lodge has all the essentials. There’s a parent room downstairs— Kootenay couples with toddlers also love to shred. Upstairs is Coal Oil Johnny’s Pub and the Fresh Tracks Cafe. I blame the latter for my family’s addiction to Glory Bowl sauce. The pub’s decor is all snow and ski, adorned with photos of local legends—this hill has spawned too many to mention. You make a mental note to yourself: “Hey lodge, I’ll be seeing you later for a Jackpot burger and a pint.”

You haven’t even shoehorned your feet into ski boots yet and already something feels just right. It’s as if you’ve stumbled across a paradise where winter spirit dwells. You recall looking at the Facts and Stats page of the Whitewater website; next to cell service and wi-fi are the words “none” and “none.”

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FOOD + TRAVEL WHITEWATER SKIING

Waiting Game

One thing newbies can’t get over is the near absence of any lift lines at Whitewater.

But don’t worry, you’ll get used to it very quickly.

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FOOD + TRAVEL WHITEWATER SKIING

Deep Cover

And then there’s the snow— metres of the white stuff, all soft and fluffy. This is a resort smack in the middle of heliskiing territory and it shows.

You look out the lodge windows. Ymir Bowl rises steeply toward its namesake peak, partially obscured in a whipping cream of mist.

In Norse mythology, they say Ymir is the father of all giants.

Condos and chain hotels are conspicuously absent. It would seem an unnecessary intrusion, especially when Nelson, a town full of restaurants, funky cafés and craft breweries, is a mere halfhour’s drive away on the west arm of Kootenay Lake.

It has stopped snowing. The sun punches blue holes in the clouds. Geared up, you walk outside. It takes a moment to relocate your skis on the racks jammed full of fat boards with touring bindings. You click in and skate to the Summit Chair. Eager powder hounds, goggled and ready, have assembled, anxiously awaiting the moment when the little hand hits nine. An equally boisterous line has formed for the opening of the Silver King Lift. There’s plenty of familiar chatter, like the early morning gathering of a clan before it disperses into the Selkirk highlands with swords drawn. A bomb goes off. Its dull, percussive thud is quickly absorbed by fresh snow.

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The avalanche control team is busy. Suddenly, the lift line surges forward. Hoots and hollers fill the air.

Your chair floats above the upper steeps of Blast, the first wave of riders is already shredding the powder into ribbons. Like magic, after offloading, a ski patroller is there, about to flip the “Open” sign. So you traverse Powder Keg Bowl and drop into Enchanted Forest, mining glades of untracked snow to where the run meets Motherlode, the only groomed piste on this side of the mountain.

Change comes slowly to a place where “change” doesn’t necessarily mean better. Around a decade ago, the owners built Glory Ridge Chair, bringing a formerly off-piste playground of steep tree skiing and glades into the controlled in-bounds area. There were naysayers, of course. But, after a few laps, you give it a thumbs-up.

Sometimes more of a good thing actually is a good thing. Later that day, your thighs are smashed. You know it when you ascend the day lodge stairs to meet your destiny with a pint of Nelson Brewing Company’s Faceplant Winter Ale at Oil Can Johnny’s.

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FOOD + TRAVEL WHITEWATER COOKS

Mastering the Après Shelley Adams’s Legendary Cooking at Whitewater Resort recipes by shelley adams // photographs by David R. Gluns

Anyone who’s spent any time frequenting ski hills knows that the food is never the draw.

But when Mike and Shelley Adams took over Nelson’s Whitewater Ski Resort in the late ’80s, Shelley made it her mission to transform the Fresh Tracks Cafe into more than just the usual on-hill stop. She started with fresh ingredients and homey yet elevated cooking—and soon a phenomenon was born. Her first cookbook came out in 2007 and it was an instant classic. Now, on the publication of cookbook #5, Whitewater Cooks: Together Again, she continues with the themes that made Fresh Tracks the most legendary eatery in all of skiing.

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Braised Moroccan-Inspired Garlicky Short Ribs This comfy make-ahead dish has a very easy preparation.

You could serve these ribs right out of the pot with the veggies and garlic still in there—it’s equally as spectacular as plating them, but just a little more rustic.

2 tbsp vegetable oil 5 lb bone-in short ribs, at least 1½ inches thick Kosher salt and pepper 2 large whole heads of garlic, cut in half, skin left on 1 medium onion, diced 4 ribs celery, diced 2 medium carrots, diced 2 tbsp harissa paste 1 tbsp tomato paste 1 tsp cinnamon 2 cups red or white wine 2 cups beef stock 4 sprigs thyme 2 bay leaves 1 cup parsley, chopped ½ cup green onion, finely chopped 1 tbsp finely grated orange zest

Preheat oven to 275°F. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Season short ribs on all sides with salt and pepper. Sear on all sides, in batches, until deeply browned (about 8 minutes per batch).

Transfer browned short ribs to a large plate. Pour off most fat, leaving 2 tbsp and the browned bits behind. Reduce heat to medium and add garlic, cutside-down. Cook without moving for about 2 minutes.

Add onion, celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Stir well and continue to cook until vegetables are soft but not browned (about 5 to 10 minutes). Add harissa and tomato pastes and cinnamon and stir to coat the vegetables. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.

Add wine, scrape up the browned bits and let simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the beef stock, thyme and bay leaves. Place short ribs in pan, using tongs to immerse them bone-side-up. Pour in any juices from the plate they were resting on. Add more stock or water if needed to cover the ribs.

Bring to a simmer, then cover and place in the oven. Cook undisturbed until meat is tender and almost falling off the bone (about 3½ to 4 hours).

Excerpted from Whitewater Cooks: Together Again

by Shelley Adams.

Copyright © 2021.

Reproduced by arrangement with the Publisher.

All rights reserved.

Remove ribs from pot using tongs, trying to keep the bones in place. Set on a large platter to rest.

Strain the sauce into a bowl or large glass measuring cup and skim off some of the fat. Throw away the cooking vegetables and herbs, but save the garlic.

Put ribs back in pot with the garlic and the strained sauce. Scatter the parsley, green onions and orange zest over the ribs. Serves 6.

westernliving.ca / j a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y

2022

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FOOD + TRAVEL WHITEWATER COOKS

Tomato and Olive Tarte Tatin My son, Conner, was home for the first four and a half months of the pandemic and he cooked us so many delicious things! One day he said, “I have a little tomato treat for you guys before dinner tonight.” It was the most beautiful and delicious tomato and olive tarte made with flaky puff pastry in the tatin style. We loved it, and you will too.

1 14-oz package puff pastry 2 tbsp unsalted butter 3 medium red onions, halved and thinly sliced ¼ cup plus 1 pinch sugar, divided 1 tbsp balsamic or red wine vinegar ⅓ cup pitted Kalamata olives, whole 3 cups red and yellow cherry or grape tomatoes 1 tbsp fresh thyme or oregano leaves, plus sprigs for garnish Salt and pepper to taste ½ cup goat cheese, crumbled Preheat oven to 425°F. Thaw pastry until still cold, but not frozen.

(You can take it out of the freezer the day before and leave in the fridge.)

Unfold pastry and roll into a 10-inch round, using the pan you will bake the tarte in as a template. Place in fridge until ready to use.

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and pinch of sugar and cook, stirring until onions are golden and caramelized (about 15 to 20 minutes). Add 2 tbsp water and let it cook down, scraping brown bits from bottom of pan.

Transfer onions to a bowl and set aside. Combine ¼ cup sugar and 3 tbsp water in an ovenproof 9-inch skillet or cast-iron pan.

Cook over medium heat, swirling gently but not stirring, until sugar melts and turns amber in colour and smells caramelized (5 to 10 minutes).

Add vinegar, being mindful of splattering, and swirl gently. Turn off heat. Arrange olives over the caramel, then top with the tomatoes and onions.

Sprinkle with thyme or oregano leaves and season with salt and pepper.

Top with the chilled puff pastry round, tucking the edges down inside the pan. Cut several long slits in the top of the pastry, then bake until crust is puffed and golden (about 30 minutes).

Let tarte rest for 5 minutes, then run a knife around the pastry edge to loosen it from the pan. Invert tarte onto a wire rack and let rest for 5 to 10 more minutes before scattering goat cheese on top and serving on your prettiest platter. Slice and devour! Serves 4.

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You could also make this tarte earlier and eat it at room temperature.

Adding goat cheese to the top of the warm tarte is absolutely divine!

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FOOD + TRAVEL WHITEWATER COOKS

Warm Roasted Potato Salad with Wilted Kale and Creamy Tahini Dressing The barely wilted kale added to these hot little potatoes is such a treat.

It’s a great warm salad served at room temperature, but also excellent as a side dish for any dinner.

Tahini dressing ½ cup tahini, well stirred ¼ cup warm water 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice 1 clove garlic, minced 1 tsp sesame oil 1 tsp soy sauce ½ tsp salt

Salad 2 lb (about 6 cups) mini potatoes, cut in half ⅓ cup olive oil Salt and pepper 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced ½ tsp red chili flakes ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated 1 large bunch kale, stems and centre ribs removed, thinly sliced Purée dressing ingredients in a blender or food processor.

Add more warm water if mixture seems too thick. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 450°F, placing rack in upper third of oven.

Toss potatoes with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Spread evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast for approximately 10 to 12 minutes, then add garlic and red chili flakes. Stir and roast for another 10 minutes.

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Sprinkle potatoes with parmesan and continue roasting until cheese is melted and golden in spots and potatoes are cooked through (about 5 more minutes). Remove from oven.

Add kale to the hot roasted potatoes, mixing well to absorb any of the oil and garlic. Transfer potatoes and kale to a medium bowl, drizzle with dressing and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 4 to 6.

j a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y 2 0 2 2 / westernliving.ca

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If so, Landmark on Robson might be

elaborate custom-built wood surround.

functional and convenient work-life

your dream condo.

Integrated cove lighting brings ambience

balance with the on-site business centre.

to the living areas and bathrooms, and

And no matter what residents require,

intricate details in the custom closet

a full-service lifestyle concierge is always

through construction and moving

systems will delight even the most

on site ready to assist in making life at

steadily toward its 2023 completion

discerning eye.

Landmark on Robson the ultimate in

The development, which is halfway

city living.

date, comprises 236 condominium units in two towers boasting state-of-the-art

Landmark on Robson is in the heart

finishes, amenities and services, and

of downtown Vancouver’s thriving

Landmark on Robson is currently in

jaw-dropping forever views.

neighbourhood scene at the crest of

pre-sale and private viewings are available.

Robson Street. The crowing jewel?

Don’t wait: Delve into your future today.

Perhaps you are enamoured with the

Upper level Sky Terrace homes enjoy

ideal lifestyle. Step out the front door to

panoramic views of Coal Harbour, the

Address: 740 Nicola St

experience city life at its finest—art gal-

North Shore Mountains and English

Call for a private viewing: 604.566.2288

leries, performance and sporting venues,

Bay through floor-to-ceiling windows

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endless options for global cuisine and

or from a breathtaking seat on private

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the world’s best fashion retailers, not to

182-square-foot staggered balconies.

AsiaStandardAmericas

mention the natural beauty of Stanley Park and the seawall—just minutes away.

Of course, ultimate city living also means residents can stay fit, conduct

If it is luxury living that inspires you, consider Landmark on Robson’s

business and entertain guests in style—right from home. Club Robson,

Created by the Western Living advertising department in partnership Asia Standard Americas

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1/13/22 12:36 PM

FOOD + TRAVEL WHITEWATER COOKS

You can roast the squash several hours ahead of time and keep it loosely wrapped at room temperature. It doesn’t need to be reheated because the warm butter will heat it up.

Roasted Butternut Squash with Pumpkin Seed Spiced Butter Eating this squash reminds me of eating dessert with dinner! Serve it with something plain like roasted chicken or lamb chops and you’ll see what I mean. You could use any kind of squash and switch up the seeds, but the main thing is the browned butter with the spices and the bed of yogurt it’s nestled into. The combination of the flavourful butter and yogurt is to die for!

1 butternut squash (skin on is fine), cut into 1-inch chunks 3 tbsp olive oil Maldon salt and freshly ground black pepper ½ cup unsalted butter ¼ cup pumpkin seeds, toasted ½ tsp cumin ½ tsp turmeric ¼ tsp cinnamon ¼ tsp red pepper flakes 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

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j a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y 2 0 2 2 / westernliving.ca

Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss squash with olive oil and salt and pepper and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Roast until squash is totally tender and slightly caramelized (about 40 to 50 minutes).

Melt butter in a small pot over medium heat and cook, swirling the pan occasionally, until butter has browned and started to foam (about 3 to 5 minutes).

Remove from heat and add pumpkin seeds, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, red pepper flakes and ½ tsp more Maldon salt. Set aside.

Combine yogurt and lemon juice in a small bowl and season with a bit of salt. Spoon yogurt sauce onto the bottom of a large serving platter or bowl. Arrange squash chunks nestled into each other and drizzle with the pumpkin seed butter.

Top with a bit more flaky salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Serves 4 to 6.

N D R

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YO U A R E A L R E A DY B E AU T I F U L

Natural.

Dewy.

Radiant.

DEW BE AUT Y BENEFIT CRE AM

PA R A B E N - F R E E A N D C R U E LT Y- F R E E E VA L I N A B E A U T Y. C O M

FOOD + TRAVEL WHITEWATER COOKS

Italian Nonna Ricotta Cake Only a true Italian nonna could produce a cake with such a simple list of ingredients. It’s light and airy but also rich and flavourful. It would be delicious with some stewed rhubarb or fresh raspberries, or served for breakfast with a really good espresso.

9 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature 1 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar 3 large eggs, room temperature 1¼ cups all-purpose flour 1 tbsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt 1 cup ricotta cheese Zest of 1 lemon 1 apple, peeled and grated (about 1 cup) Icing sugar for serving

Preheat oven to 400°F. Butter and flour a 9- or 10-inch springform pan.

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy using a hand mixer (about 5 to 8 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, mixing until just combined.

Fold in the flour, baking powder, salt, ricotta, lemon zest and apple. Scrape batter into the prepared pan and smooth with a spatula.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until cake is golden brown and sides start to pull away from the pan. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

Turn cake out of pan and cool completely on the rack. Sift icing sugar over the top of the cake before serving. Serves 6.

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j a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y 2 0 2 2 / westernliving.ca

Evalina_F

YO U A R E A L R E A DY B E AU T I F U L

Dazzling Shine.

Never Sticky. Hydrating.

MOIS TURIZING LIP GLOSS

PA R A B E N - F R E E A N D C R U E LT Y- F R E E E VA L I N A B E A U T Y. C O M

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10/30/19 1:05 PM

MOOD BOARD

The New Traditional

Designer Alykhan Velji mixes it up for his own home reno.

1 Modern lighting—like Matthew McCormick’s Mila sconce—adds that perfect juxtaposition to the warm finishes.

2 A classic chevron floor is as traditional as it gets. This Divine Flooring hardwood reminds me of old European apartments that I have stayed in and I love it. The white oak is a modern nod to the space and adds all the texture.

3 Go back to the classic bridge faucet, like this lovely number from Brizo. This is an elevated look from the single levers that we are so used to seeing.

The gorgeous brass finish makes it the perfect addition to the New Traditional look.

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“In my new home, warm, rich and textural elements will be highlighted with traditional details such as panel moulding and modern lighting.

I love playing with textures, and a New Traditional look is layered with natural elements and unexpected touches.”

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4 2

5

5 It’s all about bringing in natural stone (or the look) for the countertops. Granite is making a big comeback and is perfect for this look. I also love the look of the Dekton Khalo Stonika.

The beautiful soft creams mixed in with earthy tones provides an excellent focal point in any space.

Portrait: Jager and Kokemor

4 Deep terracottas (Sherwin-Williams’s Roycroft Adobe) and rich greens (SW’s Olympic Range) are the perfect combination to create spaces that are warm and inviting.

Think about painting walls and cabinets in these gorgeous colours for some drama.

M ST

MADE IN ITALY STELLA chandelier

221 10 Ave SW Calgary, AB 403.262.6813 luxuriesofeurope.ca